Should you visit Zhengzhou or Macao?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Zhengzhou and Macao can help you decide which place is right for you.
Zhengzhou
Along the Yellow River, a city from the future and the past resides. Ancient pagodas, futuristic domes, verdant gardens - Zhengzhou is a myriad of many worlds in one urban area. The provincial capital of the Henan Province, Zhengzhou is the encapsulation of a perfect city from its delicate balance of the natural and urban spheres. It was born during the Sui Dynasty, and its actual location was in the modern-day Chenggao. Moreover, Zhengzhou works as the political, economic, technological, and educational center of the province. The city is also one of the eight great ancient capitals of China, with a collection of architecture and art originating during iconic dynasties. These relics of the old world include the Shaolin Monastery, Henan Museum, the Pagoda Forest, the Gaocheng Astronomical Observatory, the Songyue Pagoda, the Emperors of Yan and Huang, and the scenic views of the Yellow River. With over nine million inhabitants, Zhengzhou continues to grow at a thriving rate. It also should be noted that in June 2012, Greater Zhengzhou was named one of the thirteen emerging megacities in China according to the Economist Intelligent Unit. Known internationally for its amazing culmination of culture and history, Zhengzhou is the ideal city for travelers and inhabitants alike.
Macao
Located in China, Macau is a Special Administrative Region and one of the world's most densely populated regions. Until 1999 it remained an overseas territory of Portugal. It sits across from Hong Kong, along the Pearl River Estuary. Because it was so recently relinquished as a colony, it still has a significant amount of visible colonial history. The old city still looks very European, which you can see during a walking tour. Despite this architectural influence, the majority of the city's population is native Chinese.
Which city is cheaper, Macao or Zhengzhou?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Zhengzhou is $88, while the average daily cost in Macao is $114. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Zhengzhou and Macao in more detail.
Accommodation
Zhengzhou's average price for two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $64. A typical place to stay for one person, per day is $32.
A hotel room in Macao is about $182 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Food
The average traveler spends about $25 per day in Zhengzhou for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
While meal prices in Macao can vary, the average travelers spends about $17 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Macao should cost around $6.80 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Macao is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
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Food
Meals for one day
Zhengzhou $25
Macao $17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zhengzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zhengzhou.
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Chengdu Private Food Tour (With Visit to Kuanzhai Alley and Hotpot Experience):
$32
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Chengdu Jinsha Site Museum and Sanxingdui Museum Private Day Tour with Hotpot Dinner:
$76
-
Dim Sum Cooking Class and Wet Market Visit in Shanghai:
$78
-
Beijing Hutong Evening Food Tour by Tuk Tuk:
$80
-
Chengdu Panda Base Private Day Tour and Sichuan Cooking Class:
$83
-
Beijing Food Culture & Cooking Class:
$137
-
Zhengzhou Erqi Square and Night Markets Private Tour including Dinner:
$145
-
Shaolin Temple Afternoon Tour with Zen Music Ceremony and Dinner from Zhengzhou:
$286
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Macao
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Macao.
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Zhengzhou is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $57 per person, per day, on local transportation in Zhengzhou.
The average price of local transportation around Macao is $0.47 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhengzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zhengzhou:
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1-Way Private Transfer Service to Yuntai Mountain from Zhengzhou City:
$137
-
Airport Transfers (SHA/PVG) for Shanghai (Multiple Car Models):
$38
-
Badaling Great Wall in Beijing Private Transfer:
$43
-
Longji Rice Terraced Fields and Minority Villages Tour with Transfer from Guilin or Yangshuo:
$108
-
Luxury Private Shanghai Pudong International Airport Transfers (PVG) for Downtown Shanghai:
$118
-
Luxury private Baiyun International Airport Transfers (CAN) for Guangzhou :
$74
-
Luxury private Bao'an International Airport Transfers (SZX) for Downtown Shenzhen:
$67
-
Luxury private Beijing Capital International Airport Transfers (PEK) for Downtown Beijing:
$74
-
Luxury private Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport Transfers (SHA) for Downtown Shanghai:
$59
-
One Way Private Transfer between Shanghai City and Xitang Scenic Area:
$119
-
One Way Private Transfer between Shanghai and Zhujiajiao Scenic Area :
$94
-
One Way Private Transfers between Shanghai and Zhouzhuang Scenic Area:
$94
Typical Local Transportation prices in Macao
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Macao:
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Local Bus (for Two)
$1.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Macao
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Macao:
-
2 Days Macau Sightseeing Tour with Macau Airport Private Transfer:
$362
-
Hong Kong Disneyland Tour with Round-Trip Ferry Transfer from Macau:
$201
-
Macau Day Tour with 2-Way Ferry Transfer from Shenzhen:
$247
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Macau Private Arrival Transfer: Airport to Hotel:
$120
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Private Airport Transfer: Macau International Airport (MFM) to Macao:
$32
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Macao to Macau International Airport (MFM):
$32
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Private Macau Transfer: Port to Hotel:
$78
-
Private transfer: Macau Airport (MFM) to Macau:
$622
Is it cheaper to fly into Zhengzhou or Macao?
Prices for flights to both Macao and Zhengzhou change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Zhengzhou typically cost an average of $7.36 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Macao's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $8.96 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Zhengzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Zhengzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Hupao Park Ticket in Hangzhou (For Mainland China ID Holders):
$2.35
-
China Red Sandalwood Museum Ticket in Beijing :
$2.79
-
Simatai Great Wall Admission with Cable Car Ticket in Beijing:
$3.09
-
Giant Panda Breeding Research Base Ticket Chengdu - ID Card Direct Entry:
$4.19
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Evergreen Resort Ticket in Shenzhen:
$6.19
-
Jinxi Ancient Town Attractions Combo Ticket:
$6.99
-
Gulangyu Seashell Museum Ticket:
$7.45
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Ferry Round Trip Ticket between Xiamen City and Gulangyu Sanqiutian Pier:
$8.55
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Ferry Round Trip Ticket between Xiamen City and Gulangyu Neicuoao Pier:
$8.55
-
Wuyishan Xiamei Ancient Village Admission Ticket:
$8.55
-
Beijing Palace Museum Ticket (The Forbidden City):
$9.29
-
Shanghai Joy City Rooftop Ferris Wheel - Sky Ring Ticket:
$9.29
Typical Entertainment prices in Macao
Here are a few typical costs in Macao for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Tours and Activities in Macao
Here are a few actual costs in Macao for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
Savour Macau Half Day Tour by Award Winning Operator:
$40
-
Macau Heritage & Gambling Tour History:
$47
-
Macau Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$47
-
Macau Beer Tour (3 Bars + 10 Landmarks):
$52
-
Taipa Biking Tour Ride:
$54
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Cultural and Heritage Tour of Cotai:
$76
-
Macau Sightseeing tour including Buffet Lunch on Macau Tower and pickup in Macau:
$116
-
Sightseeing Coach Tour of Macau from Shenzhen with Ferry:
$176
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Private Tour: Discover Macau:
$264
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Zhengzhou may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $5.68 per day on alcoholic beverages.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zhengzhou and Macao, we can see that Macao is more expensive. And not only is Zhengzhou much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Zhengzhou would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zhengzhou and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Macao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Macao than you might in Zhengzhou.
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